The door to Fluttershy's cottage opened slowly with a light creak. What Starlight was looking at however wasn't Fluttershy. A Large dark blue earth pony with a smoke black mane stood in the doorway. Starlight was some what confused but she was sure it wasn't uncommon for Fluttershy to have ponies come to her for help with pets. It was only natural.

"Oh! Excuse me" Starlight said suprised "I wasn't expecting any other ponies to be here." The Stallion remained silent as he pushed past Starlight down the dirt road. Starlight stared at his ever shrinking form as he disappeared. Confused Starlight walks into the open cottage.

It's quiet, too quiet for a animal caretakers small home.

"Fluttershy... Fluttershy!" Starlight calks out. "I was told by Twilight I was helping you with your animals..." She rounded the corner.

"To...day?" Infront of Starlight sat Fluttershy her pink mane disheveled and a bruised eye already very swollen. A light amount of blood is running from the corner to the floor below. Being nursed by a small white bunny.

"Fluttershy, What happened to you?!" Starlight starled voice causes the bunny to turn and bare it's teeth before Fluttershy's hoof is layed apon it's head.

"It's alright Angel she has changed." She waves Starlight closer. Starlight slowly comes closer keeping an eye on the small ball of aggression next to her. Tilting Fluttershy's head to the side Starlight takes a closer look at the injury.

"Fluttershy who was that stallion?" Her question made Fluttershy pull away. Seeing this Starlight understood and without another word started helping her.

Help now...ask later

Closing her eyes Starlight lights her horn and a blue hue scanned Fluttershy's head. Opening her eyes Starlight gives the gently mare before her a slight smile.

"Lucky for you it looks worst than it is. Just a small hairline fracture from the impact. Starlight looks away " The face is always seems the favorite target....damn trash."

...????!!... Fluttershy's attention flips to Starlight she gives a confused look (as best she can) through her good eye. Starlight can tell and chuckles lightly looking away again.

"Don't worry." Starlight says quietly almost as if... Fluttershy's eye widened slightly at her inner revelation. Before Starlight turns back and continues "You'll be just fine. But we should get you looked at by a professional just incase". 'And find that stallion from before'.

Helping Fluttershy off the floor Starlight brings her up on her back and lays her there. Fluttershy again gives a confused look at the unicorn she would've called evil not long ago. Starlight only gives another light smirk before starting off towards the front door.

If only it were that easy... three stallions stood in Fluttershy's living room. One of which was Mr blue, dark, and silent. Only difference is this time... he spoke.

My dear Fluttershy, you have depts that needs paying. If you won't give us the money..." The earth pony closer to Starlight who backs away step for step. "Well we'll have to get our payment another way" Fluttershy wimpers and Starlight locks eyes with his dark orange irises.

"Lets get one thing straight." Starlight levitats Fluttershy back into the kitchen. Her voice carrying a tone Fluttershy hadn't heard from her before... but it felt all to familiar. "The only way any of you are getting your filthy hooves on her is if I lie dead." The stallion could only smirk as he held himself off from laughing. Looking he keeps trying to compose himself almost coughing as he laughed.

"Look at this boys, we have a brave little filly. Zeb, Craw lets play." The three walked closer.

The white Pegasus to her right spoke up. "Lets teach a lesson to this slut. A lesson to not mess with those bigger and stronger than you." The third pony in the room a orange unicorn licked his lips.

But Starlight dispite her actions so far wasn't anything close to a weakling. And that would be their last mistake.

Starlight could only smirk. Then they will learn...

POOF! away the four of them went.
Fluttershy could only stare at where Starlight previously stood. Her demeanor had changed so quickly. So...violently, Fluttershy wasn't sure this was going to end well.

The four ponies reappeared in a large patch of snow dusted tundra. Looking around confused at where they were. They failed to notice the angry mare they had wanted to hurt moments before.

Bad move...very...bad..move. Starlight launched herself at the orange unicorn to her left making solid contact to his head sending him skidding across the sand. One down two to go. The leader wasted no time... in being your usual brand of villan leader.

"Craw don't just stand there get her!!" the white stallion demanded his pegasi subordinate.

Craw looked at his boss, to Starlight then to the downed dorn of Zeb. Craw looked at his boss one more time before....

...

...

...

Flying away into the sky leaving the three of them without a single ounce of hesitation. Starlight could only smirk. 'What a coward' she thought turning back to the leader. The leader could only stare at where his lacky had disappeared dutching him in the middle of this ice filled hellscape. DAMN HIM!! DAMNHIMDAMNHIMDAMN-

Something made contact with the left side of his face sending him skidding across the muddy semi frozen ground. Looking up he saw the sky and felt something warm leak in his mouth. Spitting his eyes found a tooth... his tooth.

In her honest opinion the punch Starlight delivered to the distracted Stallion wasn't the hardest by any means but it had the intended effect.

Bringing his head around Starlight saw a glare adorned his face accompanied by a fire in his eyes.

Rising to stand he spun quickly!

!!!

Starlight felt around herself she was...why was she on the ground? Ohh Celestia did her head hurt. Opening her eyes she saw little, the world blurry and unfocused. As her vision returned she began to get back up the front of her head still pounding with a dull throb. Starlight looked down.

There by her right hoof lay the cause of her pain. The bastard had thrown a stone the size of her hoof. Shaking her head again. Her vision was soon filled with a large hoof. Flying thru the air she tried to activate her magic.

"Ahhh!!" She yelled hitting the ground. Oh no that's not good. Pain... Starlight had felt a large spike of pain.

Which only ment one thing.

Horn damage. Most likely a crack at the base from the rock. She hoped it wasn't too bad. She needed to leave Now!

Staggering back to her hooves Starlight tried to focus on her opponent. The arrogant smile on his face fit the situation well. They borh knew he had won. Now all Starlight needed to do was teleport back to ponyville. Focusing her magic into her horn hurt but soon enough.

POOF!

Appearing back in Fluttershy's cottagw Starlight collapsed onto the wooden floor below her. She was exhausted. Teleportation such a long distance in hindsight wasn't a good idea. She had set herself up. She was arrogant. Just like thr arrogance she had during her fight against Twilight. Getting up Starlight walks into the kitchen to see Fluttershy sitting there a cup of tea on the table and an icepack over her eye. Noticing the unicorn walk in Fluttershy looks up from her tea.

"Come on Fluttershy, lets get you to the hospital."

At The Hospital

Starlight sat on the bench in the waiting room. Her horn had been examined and wrapped by a nurse. The nurse who she had learned was named Clear Cut had told her if she had done anything further her horn may have exploded. So no more magic for at least a few days and come back in around three to make sure it's healing correctly.

The worse of the two however was Fluttershy. Starlight was correct in her assessment of the injury to the mares eye. It was a orbital fracture. The bastard had done a number on her but nothing permanent. Thank the stars above. The doors to the waiting room opened and out walked Clear Cut. Looking at Starlight with a smile she addressed the unicorn.

"Miss Glimmer" Clear Cut stated grabbing Starlight's attention. "You can see Fluttershy now." Starlight wasted no time in following the nurse to Fluttershy's door.

Inside the room lay a resting Fluttershy, a large rectangular patch covering up the ugly sight her eye had become. With the sight before her Starlight's stomach twisted. What was Twilight going to say? Was She right? Was-

"Starlight?" The soft tone caught Starlight off guard as her inner turmoil had distracted her from where she was. Looking at the bed Starlight found a large gentle blue eye staring back. It seemed even as hurt as she was, her kind nature never rested.

"What's wrong Starlight?" Fluttershy asked carefully sitting up in bed.

"Nothing... Nothing is wrong, Fluttershy."
Fluttershy lightly giggles

"You're not a good liar, Starlight, come here and talk to me." Fluttershy says, tapping the bed sheet next to her. Starlight reluctantly complies and takes a deep breath.

"I'm... I'm scared. I'm terrified of what Twilight will say when she..." Starlight swallows the small lump forming in her throat. "When she gets here. I know she'll be angry because.."

"Because... you believe that it was your fault and that Twilight will hurt you?"
Starlight stared shocked.

"Y-Yes, But how-?"

"How did I know you're scared to be hurt by somepony." Starlight nods looking away.
After a few moments Fluttershy spoke up again.

"That stallion you encountered and fought. He is my ex-coltfriend. His name is Fragile Drag." Fluttershy's tone sent a chill up Starlight's spine. If Starlight had to describe It in one word. It would be haunted. It was as if she wasn't sitting next to the element of kindness. Maybe she could... trust her.

But would she listen?

Only one way to find out... So she took a shaking breath and asked.

"Fluttershy? Could I confide in you for a moment?" Fluttershy looks at her. And She quickly added on thinking she'd overstepped. "It's completely okay if you say no it's just since we're talking I figured-." A hoof gently pressed itself to her muzzle silencing Starlight's ramblings. Starlight looked and the two made eye contact. Fluttershy taking her hoof off just sat calmly waiting for Starlight to begin.

...

"It was close to fifteen years ago..."

Twilight galloped through the street as fast as her legs would carry her. All she could think of were the horrifying possibilities. Fluttershy .... oh Celestia why did she put Fluttershy first on that list. Damn it! No matter, Fluttershy first then she'd find Starlight.

Bursting through the door of the hospital she was quick to find the receptionist's desk. Panting she talked as fast and clearly as she was able.

"I came as fast as I could where is Fluttershy's room?!" The receptionist startled by the alicorn's sudden arrival was quiet for a moment before responding.

"Miss Fluttershy's room is just down the hall. You only just missed the nurse showing in Miss Glimmer." The receptionist's response sent boiling rage through Twilight's veins. Starlight was still with Fluttershy.

Twilight saw red.

Starlight Glimmer!!

The blood in Starlight's veins froze as a rage filled scream echoed through the hospital.

She was here.

In the hospital.

And is very Angry

In this moment of fear only one thing would come out of Starlight's lips.

"I'm Fucked" Starlight threw her hooves up and walked to a nearby corner. She did nothing but lay there waiting for her oncoming death. Fluttershy however would have none of it. She marched into the hall and waited. As Twilight in all her boiling rage came marching down the hall completely oblivious to the pegasus. Just as expected. Fluttershy however in a fashion befitting royalty simply spread her wings and blocked Twilight's way.

Twilight tries to push her out of the way to get to her target. But Starlight instead of getting the fur beaten off her witnesses something she thought impossible.

Fluttershy headbutts Twilight knocking her back. Twilight, not expecting the move, is suddenly made aware as her head is rung like a bell. Twilight takes this very badly. Looking past the yellow roadblock she sees Starlight trying to stay as far away as possible.

"What did you do to Fluttershy you little snake!" Twilight yells standing back up enraged. Starlight shrinks back into the corner, her fear overcoming her situational awareness.

"Twilight that's enough!" Fluttershy says firmly as she blocks Twilight's view trying to calm the alicorn. This has little effect. Twilight wasn't listening, being far too consumed by her anger.

"First you hurt her then you brainwash-" Slap!!

A sound familiar to all beings nearby echoes out through the hospital corridors. Starlight standing next to the window is nothing short of stunned. She could have lived a thousand years and she never would've thought Thee Fluttershy, the element of kindness, the mare who would never hurt a fly would slap Twilight Sparkle.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle... Get Out" Fluttershy was short and precise. No long speech no 'you did this wrong' just a strong shock to the mare she called her friend. "Get out and don't come back. I will come to you in the castle... am I Understood?"

Nothing was said by the alicorn as she rose back to her standing height. She just looked at Fluttershy, Looked at Starlight, Scoffed and left.

"Fluttershy?" Starlight asked, getting up and slowly walking closer. Fluttershy began to shake. The shock of what just happened caused her to collapse onto her belly. Starlight laid down next to her as she saw the tears that began to stream from her eyes from the stress. Starlight didn't know much about being close to somepony. But at this moment she didn't need to. She just let Fluttershy lean against her and cry.

The two of them sat there for what seemed like hours. At some point Fluttershy passed out and Starlight tucked her into bed. Taking the chair just on the other side of the room. Soon Starlight fell into a deep sleep.

[In Starlight's Dream]

Starlight stood in a gleaming room. The Celestia's sun shining through the nearby windows bathing the room in pleasant warmth. Until she realizes she wasn't alone. Starlight's eyes go wide as a breath of air grazes the back of her neck ever so slightly. She freezes, swallowing in fear as a pit of despair eats away at her stomach. Slowly Starlight turns around to face...

"Welcome back Starlight Glimmer."

Herself?? No it's not her, it is... but... is it? Her bangs hang ethier side of her horn as the rest of her mane hangs opposite to the right side of her neck. The two make eye contact. Starlight can only look away in a fearlike respect of the unicorn in front of her. Looking around Starlight noticed the scenery around her had also changed. Instead of warm halls of marble she found herself in the cold, dark, empty desert.

"Aww come now Starlight Glimmer look at me. Are you truly so much weaker now than when we were at the village?" Starlight Glimmer looks up again and a pervasive lump forms in her throat. Her former self began to circle her. "Do you remember the feeling of having that power?" Starlight stops in front of Glimmer and smiles.

"Come with me and let us Welcome you back to the fold of equality." That is when the sky above them exploded.

"Enough!!" A voice unknown to the unicorn screamed.

The bright flash evaporating the area leaving Starlight alone. Uncovering and shaking her head she tries to recover from the unexpected event. Opening her eyes Starlight saw one of the two being in equestria she hoped never to come near.

"Starlight Glimmer" Princess Luna stated standing not far from her. Starlight confused by the sudden arrival of a princess. Dropped like a stone into the sand. Bowing as deeply as she physically could. Her ears pinned back as her body lightly trembled. She can feel Princess Luna stepping closer. Starlight looked up ever so slightly not daring to make eye contact with the Star controlling Alicorn.

"Miss Glimmer please do not fear us...rise." Luna seemed to use a neutral if not gentle tone similar to Celestia. Starlight didn't understand what was happening? Starlight slowly rose standing before Luna. She would not look up however. She knew neither of the princess' despite accepting her presence were anything close to friendly. Luna spoke up again.

"Starlight Glimmer please look at thee." Starlight reluctantly complies. The two looked upon each other before things continued. "You've had quite the day Starlight. We are not here to hurt thou please relax." The Alicorns horn lit up changing the area from the cold desert to a nice cool balcony overlooked by the moon high above.

"My sister and I received a letter from our dear Twilight earlier today." Starlight stiffened. "What was described was disturbing to say the least. So we assured our sister we would get to the bottom of it."

Earlier That Day: Canterlot

A letter manifested itself from a mist floating through the throne room window. Celestia, always happy to here from her student, smiled as the letter unraveled before her.

Dear Princess Celestia

Today has not gone as planned. I tasked Starlight with the chore of helping a few of my friends this morning. However, contrary to my belief. Starlight could not handle it. I think she was violent towards Fluttershy and brainwashed her afterwards. Fluttershy's injuries were limited brusing and what seemed to be a patch covering her eye.

Fluttershy seemed to defend Starlight at the hospital. Telling me to 'calm down'. Even going as far as having the gall to headbutt and slap me. These actions and a tense standoff later I decided to retreat and refer to you and Luna.

I will wait for your quick response.

Yours, Twilight Sparkle.

To say the letter confused Celestia was an understatement. A violent confrontation in a public space, a hospital no less wasn't her student. Twilight would never do such a thing willingly.

But after sending a guard to confirm the incident occurred and indeed it was confirmed after a brief period, Celestia's worries only grew. Looking to a nearby clock she saw it was nearing midday. Celestia then made her decision.

"Guard when Luna wakes tell to meet me in my quarters after sunset as something disturbing has occurred." The guard nodded as Celestia got up. She could worry if this continued past tonight.

Later That Evening

"Sister?" Luna asked entering Celestia quarters. "What has happened that requires my attention, Your request was vague?" Celestia floats over Twilight's letter after reading it Luna understands. "I see sister this is disturbing ."

"Yes Luna I ask that you look into this from the dream realm. You'll be faster than anything I could do." Luna understands what Celestia wanted done immediately.

"Alright sister I'll get on this predicament immediately." Luna begins to walk out. "Get some sleep, I fear you'll need it my sister." Luna knew what Twilight was like and this wasn't like her. Luna could feel it in her gut something was wrong... so very wrong.

Luna instead of heading to her own quarters went somewhere she had rarely gone since her return. A meditation chamber kept secret from even her personal guard. Only her most trusted had ever seen the door. Their was a good reason for this however.

This is the location where Nightmare Moon first emerged from Luna's suppressed anger and grief. Running her hoof over the dust coated steel door she remembered those nights. The fear, the hate, the resentment.

....

It still haunted her.

The lunar alicorn took a deep breath.... and chuckled. Perhaps she and Miss Glimmer were not so different after all. Two powerful formerly evil beings haunted by their misdeeds. Steeling herself Luna entered the chamber.

First up Fluttershy.

Entering Fluttershy's dream was easy enough for Luna though she found a pleasant sight before her. The yellow pegasus was enjoying her time in a large flower garden. It seemed the recent events hadn't soured her attitude in the slightest.

Smiling Luna floated down landing not far from Fluttershy. Slowly approaching Luna could feel the joy her young subject took in her activity. Too bad she has to ruin it.

"Miss Fluttershy?" Luna asked continuing to get closer. Fluttershy for her part was suprised to see the princess but wasn't going to refuse the company.

"Oh Princess Luna" Fluttershy stated smiling happily. "I wasn't expecting anypony else today. Fluttershy got up to bow but Luna stopped her with a raised hoof. Fluttershy standing back up sermed nervous. "If I can ask..umm what brings you here?" Luna smiled jestering for the newly vacant bench.

"I'm sorry to spoil your time Fluttershy, however I come here tonight to talk about what happened earlier to today... at the hospital." With just the mention of the hospital sent a chill through the dream.

Luna acting quickly rested a wing across the mares back. Her wing tip rubbing a small circle between the base of her wings. Luna's smile returned as a content sigh escaped Fluttershy's lips. After a few more minutes of this Luna retracted her wing and the two just sat there.

Until Fluttershy asked a question.

"Princess, are your here to find out what happened?" Luna shook her head.

"I already know what happened. I here to get an individual point of view. First is you. So start when ready." Luna sat and listened carefully. From the assault on her by her ex- coltfriend. Through Starlight and their assumed fight. And finally the incident in the hospital. Though that wasn't all.

"Fluttershy? Did Twilight seem to be not be acting as herself, For lack if a better term?" Luna asked. Fluttershy paused thinking back. A powerful chill ran down her spine as the memories surfaced.

"She did seem to be highly aggressive. Almost as if she wasn't completely aware I guess." Fluttershy looked down in thought. Although I think I saw something change when I struck her. She seemed to regain some self awareness after." Luna hearing about everything was puzzled. She thanked Fluttershy and after a flash revived Fluttershy's pleasant dream.

Next Starlight.

"That is why I'm here Starlight Glimmer I wish to hear things from your point of view." Princess Luna said as Starlight processed everything she had just been told. But the alicorn still had one more unasked question.

"Starlight, When was the first time Twilight started acting aggressive towards you?" Starlight considering this question tried to remember when it was Twilight started to change. Then it hit her.

Starlight looked up at Princess Luna making eye contact.

"She started changing when she first heard Cadence was pregnant... three weeks ago." Luna began thinking of ways that could correlate when her eyes grew with a horrible realization.

"Starlight what is the date?" She asked looking at Starlight. Starlight looked confused for a moment before responding.

It's April 14th, 1008 why? Is something wrong princess?"

Luna thinking further she felt that date was important. Strange behavior?, seemingly random aggression?, 1008... The realization hit Luna like a comet. "Oh no" she said proceeding to run out of the dream. Leaving a now very confused Starlight behind.

Author's Note

I combined another chapter